Planet ISKCON

Sunday Feast - Avatars and Us by HG Ananda Vrindavan Devi Dasi in ISKCON Chicago

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By ISKCON Ministry of Education

Safety Recommendations from the ISKCON Child Protection Office North America in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Youth Ministry. This set of general information about protecting children online provides information for parents, teachers, event hosts and management to consider when engaging children online. Continue reading "Protecting Children Online
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So many beautiful people are reciprocating and willing to chant maha-mantra for Love & Peace for the first time

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Srimad Bhagavatam class by HG Vayasaki Prabhu in Vrindavan

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Now let us cooperate fully to fulfill Srila Prabhupada’s desire, which is the desire of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and the parampara, and distribute such transcendental literature for the benefit of all—and be blessed by their sublime mercy.

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Evening class by HH Candramauli Swami

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My dear devotees,

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

In a letter to me dated December 1971, Srila Prabhupada wrote, “Go on increasing books, and go on increasing my pleasure.” December is a special opportunity to focus on Srila Prabhupada’s desire that we distribute books—and thus increase his pleasure. As he wrote in the same letter, “I am most pleased especially to hear that you are distributing many books.”

tad-vag-visargo janatagha-viplavo
  yasmin prati-slokam abaddhavaty api
namany anantasya yaso ’nkitani yat
  srnvanti gayanti grnanti sadhavah

“That literature which is full of descriptions of the transcendental glories of the name, fame, forms, pastimes, etc., of the unlimited Supreme Lord is a different creation, full of transcendental words directed toward bringing about a revolution in the impious lives of this world’s misdirected civilization. Such transcendental literatures, even though imperfectly composed, are heard, sung, and accepted by purified men who are thoroughly honest.” (SB 1.5.11)

Now let us cooperate fully to fulfill Srila Prabhupada’s desire, which is the desire of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and the parampara, and distribute such transcendental literature for the benefit of all—and be blessed by their sublime mercy.

Thank you very much.

Hare Krishna.

Yours in service,
Giriraj Swami

 

As Damodara masa comes to an end, so does our eParikrama this year. We wish to thank all you vaisnavas for your heartfelt prayers for Maharaja’s speedy recovery and hope that you received some inspiration out of Maharaja’s daily meditations here on KKSBlog from his previous Parikramas. We also thank you vaisnavas for your enthusiasm and engagement throughout the eParikrama.

2020 has been an unprecedented year, however it did not stop us from meditating on Sri Vrndavana dhama together. We meditated on various places of significance in and around Vrndavana (see below for a recap of the eParikrama) and focused our minds on the pastimes of Radha and Krsna, and Their associates. We especially focused deeply on the meditations of Srimati Radharani, Who shows us that there is no such thing as separation as long as we are one in thought. If we are always thinking of Krsna, then we are always united with Him and with each other.

We hope that we are able to come together in person for Parikrama 2021. Until then, we continue to sincerely pray that Sri Vrndavana dhama manifest in our hearts.

Hare Krsna!

The article " eParikrama 2020 – Final Meditations " was published on KKSBlog.

Indradyumna Swami: "The Hidden Treasure of Govardhana's Caves." We follow Srila Prabhupada and our acraya's commentaries on many of the details of Govardhan Hill's unique forests, caves and playgrounds.

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After karthik, it’s time to get ready to visit Sri Kshetra Pui dhama! ISKCON Mayapur has arranged for a special Virtual Puri Parikrama from 2nd Dec to 5th Dec. If you are yet to register for Sri Kshetra Puri Parikrama, please DO NOW at https://www.mayapur.com/2020/sri-ksetra-parikrama-2020/ 2nd December is the day of Adhivas. It means all […]

The post A day to go! appeared first on Mayapur.com.

ISKCON Vrindavan

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Matchless Gifts is a part of our heritage. Each one of us has a stake in this holy tirtha and seeing that it continues to be a place of pilgrimage. Matchless Gifts is, of course, one of only a few projects that are truly of global significance. It means something to all of us. We all want to keep its doors open for the whole society. All of us who have been there have felt Srila Prabhupada’s mercy, still tangible in that small space, and want to make that mercy available to others as well.

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Dayananda Das Adhikary: Nandarani devi passed away this morning from brain cancer. What follows is a brief description of her time with Srila Prabhupada. In early 1967, Nandarani was eighteen years old. She’d come to San Francisco from L.A. with her boyfriend to check out the hippie scene. There she ran into a friend on the street, who took her to the temple where she had prasadam and in the evening met Prabhupada. From that time, she served Prabhupada’s ISKCON for twenty-two years.

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We end our eParikrama right here in the Sri Sri Krsna-Balarama Mandir in the heart of Sri Vrndavana dhama. We meditate on the holy dhama through the harinama and pray that we are able to evolve our consciousness so that we are always situated in Vrndavana. Check out Maharaja’s kirtans and lectures below, along with a few photos, from his many journeys to Vrndavana over the years.

We are in Vrndavana to collect some spiritual fortune. That is why we came. We need something to take back; something that will give us a little more strength in our chanting and absorption in the Srimad-Bhagavatam; something to overcome our material desires which usually bother us like flies buzzing around. You can chase them away but they always come back. We need a tail to deal with all these flies. Animals do, and since we are two-legged animals, we also need one. For all these material desires we do have a tail; we have a sikha and the ladies have a braid. (laughter) If you do not have a tail then you are in trouble and the flies will get you. I have got a mini tail that does not want to grow. What to do? (laughter) The point I am trying to make is that we need more spiritual strength. So this Vrndavana parikrama is for that. Going to these places gives us mercy by creating samskaras or impressions.

Jiva Goswami states in his Bhakti Sandarbha that Vrndavana is a state of consciousness. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta once said that there is an intimate correlation between nama (the holy name) and dhama (the holy land). He said that it is only within the dhama that the nama fully manifests. Of course, where there is nama, dhama becomes manifest, but dhama means ‘the state of consciousness of Vrndavana’. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu said, “My mind is like Vrndavana.” He said that for most people, the mind and the heart is the same; whatever they desire, that is where the mind will be. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu was speaking in the mood of Srimati Radharani to Krsna and he said, “But in my case, my mind is Vrndavana and since you like Vrndavana, please place your footsteps there, in my mind.” Vrndavana is that place which is cent per cent dedicated to the pleasure of Krsna. Everything in Vrndavana is simply an arrangement for the pleasure of Krsna. So by chanting, gradually our mind will become purified and gradually, Golokera prema-dhana, the entire wealth of Goloka will manifest in our mind. And we will become like the walking dhama; wherever we are, we will be in Vrndavana and we can transform places into Vrndavana like Srila Prabhupada did.

During my stay at the Krsna-Balarama mandir, initially, I was very impressed by the deities and the temple. But gradually it began to dawn on me that Prabhupada was even more prominently present in Vrndavana than Krsna. Krsna is present in Vrndavana everywhere! But I realized that in the Krsna-Balarama mandir, Prabhupada is even more present and that by satisfying Prabhupada’s desire, we will attain Krsna. That became very apparent to me. And suddenly, I understood the secret of the Hare Krsna movement. I understood that the sincerity, the dedication that I had mistaken for fanaticism, was actually found in the devotees’ love for Prabhupada. Because at the time when I joined, the movement consisted of Srila Prabhupada’s disciples. They were very sincere and dedicated simply because of their love for Prabhupada. That was a unique feature. That is the one thing this movement had over others, and we see that it brought about much greater changes in peoples’ lives.

In the end, the holy dhama is where we belong. In the dhama, the spiritual energy of the spiritual world is very much manifest. So in this way, this is our home!

The article " eParikrama 2020 Day 30 – Vrndavana " was published on KKSBlog.

By Vijaya Dasa

The Swansea temple in Wales had the best month I've ever seen from this quaint little city in Great Britain. It was the No. 1 temple in Great Britain with 4,906 book points and No. 9 worldwide. And in Bangladesh a temple has come up that I've never seen or noticed before in the newsletter. Coxbazar did huge, with 4,301 book points, making it No. 11 in the world. Both are in the Small Temple category, small but doing big. Continue reading "WSN October 2020 – World Sankirtan Newsletter
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When we are materially conditioned, we struggle with the dualities of the material world. Listen to Srila Prabhupada explain how we can overcome this by acting according to the Supreme consciousness. Let us share this knowledge in these trying times! Distribute Bhagavad Gita!

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Amidst the Covid situation of this year, pilgrims from far and across the country are visiting Sri Dham Mayapur during this auspicious period of the year to partake in the various auspicious pastimes of the Lord. From Govardhana Puja celebration, to Gopastami, down to the most auspicious days of Bhisma Pancha, Devotees all over the […]

The post Sri Krishna Rasayatra: An ecstasy relished in Bhakti appeared first on Mayapur.com.

This tune was inspired by the song 'Vrikshavalli Amha’ by the medieval saint-poet Tukaram, as popularly sung by Lata Mangeshkar.

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By Giriraj Swami

I first met Mother Krsnanandini at the fortieth anniversary of the installation of Sri Sri Radha-Kalachandji in Dallas, on Sri Radhastami in September of 2012. She and her mother, Bhumata, were both initiated by Srila Prabhupada on Radhastami in 1972. At the anniversary, she shared wonderful memories of her meeting Srila Prabhupada in Dallas at the time of the installation of Sri Sri Radha-Kalachandji. And she made a heartfelt appeal: Continue reading "Remembering Mother Krsnanandini
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I first met Mother Krsnanandini at the fortieth anniversary of the installation of Sri Sri Radha-Kalachandji in Dallas, on Sri Radhastami in September of 2012. She and her mother, Bhumata, were both initiated by Srila Prabhupada on Radhastami in 1972. At the anniversary, she shared wonderful memories of her meeting Srila Prabhupada in Dallas at the time of the installation of Sri Sri Radha-Kalachandji. And she made a heartfelt appeal:

“Srila Prabhupada has given us the key to happiness, which is what our soul is hankering for. If we actually at all appreciate that, it is our job to share that same love that Srila Prabhupada shared, with everybody else—without discrimination. Krishna loves every single living entity; there is no living entity that Krishna does not love. And the greatest service that we can do—if we want to please Radha, if we want to please Krishna—is to share this love with others and to make sacrifices like Srila Prabhupada did, to do that. Here was Srila Prabhupada, seventy-something years old, heart attack, dealing with crazy, weird people. But he did it because he loved Radha and Krishna. He did it because he felt he had an obligation to his guru. And this is our responsibility as well. So here I sit forty years later. And I am telling you all: This has not been an easy path. I would not dare to tell you that it has been. This path has been fraught with difficulties and challenges and pains and tears. But I wouldn’t trade a single ounce of it.”

After hearing her speak, I was eager to meet her, and so we sat together at a table in the Peacock Room of Kalachandji’s restaurant, along with her husband, Tariq. I was fascinated—and impressed—by their relationship. He was a Muslim (favorable to Krishna consciousness), and she was a Hare Krishna devotee—how did it all work? He said that she was the one spending time with the children, so she should decide on their spiritual upbringing, and she raised them all as devotees, servants of Srila Prabhupada and Sri Krishna.

The two of them were marital counselors, and I thought that their example of mutual respect, harmony, and love, with him as a Muslim and her as a Vaishnava, meant that any husband and wife, however different their backgrounds, could live together peacefully and happily. And thereafter, on occasion, I would ask her to counsel devotees with marital problems—in one case a wife who was a devotee and whose husband was an atheist.

Srila Prabhupada had instructed her to show people all over the world how to have Krishna conscious marriages, and she dedicated her life to doing that. With a small group of devotees, she founded ISKCON’s Grihastha Vision Team, which is committed to strengthening and supporting “healthy marriages, happy families, and a strong community,” and remained its president until the end of her life.

On August 28, 2018, she wrote me a kind letter: “Today, we just finished working with a couple on Skype. (We work with couples from many places on Skype, providing premarital and marriage education.) As part of the session today with this couple, we read together, aloud, the foreword you wrote, entitled ‘The Purpose of Grihastha Ashrama,’ for our Heart and Soul Connection book. Tariq Prabhu wanted us to write you in appreciation for the marvelous foreword you wrote: ‘It perfectly encapsulates the purpose of the book.’ Although Tariq Prabhu and I have read the foreword several times, we were again touched by the sharing from your heart, the analogies and the references from Srila Prabhupada. It really helped the couple to understand more the purpose of actual grihastha life. So, thank you again! We are grateful for your support of our mission in strengthening marriages and fulfilling our motto: ‘Healthy Marriages. Happy Families. Strong ISKCON.’ ”

After reading her and her husband’s kind appreciation, my heart melted and my eyes filled with tears.

And she added a PS: “Heart and Soul Connection: A Devotional Guide to Marriage, Service and Love, in addition to the English version, is now available in Russian, Italian, and Portuguese”—which indicated how her service was being appreciated worldwide.

Krsnanandini Mataji had many children, and she took great care to encourage them in Krishna consciousness, even after they left home. One, Ghanasyam, had come to Santa Barbara, and she phoned me to discuss how I could facilitate his bhakti. And the next day she wrote me, “We were grateful to have the opportunity to speak with you . . . and appreciate your willingness to reach out to our ‘sun’ Ghanasyam . . . He is a doctor, veterinarian, who is specializing in cardiology and is working there as a resident at a veterinary clinic. Here are his contact details: . . . May you always be peaceful, living under the protection of our sweet Lord Krishna.” So, Ghanasyam had a loving mother who wanted him to be not only materially successful but also Krishna conscious.

Later, in Dallas, her son Syamasundara Dasshort got to know me and eventually took shelter of me. He described his spiritual journey, which at some stage had taken a detour, and how his mother’s upbringing of him, steeped in hearing Srila Prabhupada and the Hare Krishna maha-mantra, had eventually prevailed and brought him back. His mother very much wanted to be present for his initiation, and she was planning to come, but her health deteriorated and friends and well-wishers advised her to go to India for treatment as soon as possible. But she was very much present in spirit, and to honor the name Syamasundara that she had given him, on September 15 of last year, I initiated him as Syama-vallabha dasa.

A month later, Krsnanandini wrote me, “Thank you again for accepting Syama-vallabha as your disciple and connecting him more firmly to our parampara. I pray often for your well-being and encouragement; you have undertaken a serious service on behalf of Srila Prabhupada and are assisting so many people to have a good understanding of our sambandha and how to prosecute devotional service and achieve the ultimate goal. This is a scary yet exciting time in the Krishna consciousness movement, and I pray that you and I get to cooperate more and more in pushing forward a healthier, more loving, yet chaste approach to engaging in the Lord’s service. Anyway, as you know, I am here in Vrindavan, and Kartik is upon us. I am so grateful that Srila Prabhupada and Srimati Radharani are allowing me to undergo this serious austerity in the holy dhama and are giving me the determination to continue.” She also sent me several copies of a small book she had written—The ABCs of Chanting the Holy Names of God—one for myself and the rest to share with others.

She was an amazing, beautiful person.

Mother Krsnanandini, we love you and we miss you. A huge hole has been created in our society and in my heart by your departure. But we will try to serve and please you in separation, by acting as you would wish and supporting the people and the causes dear to you. And when Srila Prabhupada and you are satisfied with my service here, I may join you again, in what Prabhupada called the “ISKCON in the spiritual sky.”

With deepest admiration, appreciation, affection, respect, and love,

Your eternal servant,
Giriraj Swami

Toronto, Ontario

 

The Stretch, The Touch

 

I’ve been wanting to get in a bit more exercise for my upper body. Although walking for me is rather a routine, and it is great for the overall physical self, I have been feeling the need to strengthen the arms and shoulders. Lo and behold my wishes became fulfilled. The pots in the kitchen had started to pile up and there aren’t too many extra bodies around due to the Covid virus forcing restrictions on helpers coming in.

 

I looked at the pile of love, perhaps the way we should lovingly glance at the deities—with their fresh new attire for the day—and I said, “Yes!”

 

I went at that pile of steel and saw it vanished before my very eyes. Frankly it took a short while to make it a reality. The four sinks became clear and even shined somewhat. I felt a sense of accomplishment with the energy coming from the Source, Krishna.

 

Accomplishment is something to reach out for, like a yoga stretch. It must be a daily target. Yes, it must. When you get up in the morning plan a variety of things to do. Go for that good balance of functions, execute them, register them—at least mentally—better still to jot them down, and feel that good feeling of accomplishment. A touchdown!

 

I had received a message from our Ottawa community. The temple coordinator, Guru Prasad, let me know that among his congregants are two people, a couple from South India, Hari and Shymala, who are celebrating their 50^th wedding anniversary on Saturday. Quite a mile stone.

 

May the Source be with you!

0 km

 

Yorkville, Toronto

 

An Interview

 

Ambika Di Maria interviewed me last week and came back with a transcription of the talk. Here is a short excerpt:

 

How did you become known as the “Walking Monk?”

Bhaktimarga Swami:First of all, let’s start with how I came to be a monk in the first place, and secondly a “walking monk.”

 

I was born and raised on a farm in Southwestern Ontario and my parents used to take me to church. Of my own volition I would go to mass before I went to school during the week, on school days. So, I had that spiritual inclination and that kind of carried on through the years.

 

When I entered my high school period, I started to doubt a little bit about if the spiritual practices that I was involved in were a very genuine thing. I was questioning some of the values and practices. During that time of contemplation and deliberation I met some members of the Hare Krishna movement as they definitely represented something more from the East, with roots from India. I liked the philosophy. It didn’t change my mind about the nature of the Supreme. I gained much. Let’s say, for instance, one’s identity, to understand one’s identity, that you’re not a body but you’re a spiritual being.

 

I spent a number of years at the centre here in Toronto, doing various services… During one period, when I needed a break, back in 1995, I decided I would go for a walk across Canada. I just thought I wanted to do that as a gift and an offering to my guru. I wanted to get out there and see the world close up and do what swamis, or monks, traditionally do, which is to travel, meet people and connect with the elements (earth, water, fire, air and ether)…

 

May the Source be with you!

3 km

 

Toronto, Ontario

 

Covid in the Air, Music in the Kitchen

 

Rain kept me inside, so I did some pacing on the indoor balcony. Services of the nature of “devotion” also had me indoors, along with administration, eating, bonding with resident monks, etc.

 

One of our discussions involved acknowledging that Covid has now clearly entered into our community, putting out the alert that anything can happen to those of us in the ashram/monastery. As of a week ago we have tightened restrictions on who can enter our building. Those of us who live together do so like a family and yet the wholesome fear is finally kicking in. “Don’t get too close,” is becoming the mantra in our minds.

 

Our cook, Dwarkanath, is quite happy strumming on the strings of his sitar. The venue is the kitchen, an ideal space for practice. We are cooking less in general, which means less clutter and more space for instruments.

 

It could be that tomorrow may be our last opportunity for “Staircase Kirtan.” We will enjoy a high of 10° Celsius, which I believe is above average for this time of year.

 

Going back to the subject of the virus and our attitude towards its very existence; our guru, Prabhupada spoke out in a recording we listened to. He quoted the phrase para dukkha dukhi, which translates as “having concern and even feeling pain for those who are in pain.” That, in essence, is the sentiment of a spiritualist.

 

May the Source be with you!

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University of Toronto

 

Excited

 

I think it’s just one of the best things the city has done—created a beautiful, slick but cozy dynamic on Bloor Street. The street is known for its expensive shops at the platinum strip, from Sherhbourne to the ROM (Royal Ontario Museum). It’s a stretch where people just move, never loitering, never stopping to say “Hello!” It is tainted with corporate culture, more so than a leisurely space of realisation.

 

So what’s different now?

 

They have these net-looking curved benches that light up at night with a tree set in the middle. When I walked the length of it tonight I got excited and saw that each one of those half-mooned seats, some of which are quarter-moon shaped, are ideal for a cozy kirtanvenue. I can’t wait till summer.

 

I do hope that the effort made by city planners on these arrangements will make a difference in encouraging more neighbourliness, more strolling, at least more pedestrianism. God, it’s important that we slow down. It’s important that we see curves. It’s natural. Not that all is square and grid-like. I mean, “Give us a break.”

 

While walking I can’t help noticing these things. Meandering through the nooks and alley-ways can be fun. The buildings are a mix of the old and new. Guess which ones look good and feel good. Yes those of continuity. Let’s put some curve or bend into our world, After all you and I know someone who stands attractively cured.

 

What a pose!

 

May the Source be with you!

3 km

 

Toronto, Ontario

 

Cooking for God

 

I took my hand at the culinary craft today, cooking the noon offering. I have this great privilege being on the Monday schedule now. I feel blessed.

 

It’s been a long time since doing this seva (service). I love it.

 

Cooking brown rice, dahl soup, two veggie preps, chappatis, popadams, halava and, am I missing something? It was so exhilarating. You really have to be sharp when every item is over the flame simultaneously. I like the creativity of it all. It is quite the balancing act but, with Krishna’s grace, it all came together on time. I hope the main ingredient wasn’t amiss—bhakti, devotion!

 

In Chapter Nine of The Gita devotion is mentioned as the primary ingredient behind any undertaking, so when inserted into any job it transforms the whole operation. The technical term of this transformed product, when dealing with food, is called prasadam.

 

Okay, so the pujari (priest) arrived to the kitchen at 11am, preparing plates and bowels for the ritual offering to Krishna. I didn’t panic but had some concern whether or not it would all be ready for the offering. However, it was done in time.

 

I tried my best and I must say devotees liked the end product. I didn’t have to resort to any deep frying and kept spicing to a moderate level. Healthy is the best way to go.

 

Personally I wish I could have shared the end product with all of you. It’s hard to be self-critical so I just had to gauge it after the prasadam hit the plates of the others. It looked like it was well received.

 

May the Source be with you!

0 km

 

• 

• 

There lived a great ascetic named Aruna Muni in Vaiduryapattnam, on the banks of the Godavari, in Andhra Pradesh in Southern India. He had a pious wife by name Jayanti Devi. Sri Nimbarka was born of Aruna Muni and Jayanti Devi some time in the 11th Century.

Nimbarka’s philosophy is known as Dvaitadvaita (duality and non duality simultaneously). According to this philosophy there are three categories of existence, Chit (Jiva or individual soul), Achit (Jagat or the world) and Ishvara( Brahman or a personal God). Chit and Achit are different from Ishvara as they have attributes (gunas) and capacities (Svabhaava) which are different from those of Ishvara.

Nimbarka identifies the Supreme Brahman with Krishna who is endowed with all auspicious qualities and is free from ignorance, passion, attachment and egoism. He has four forms or Vyuhas namely Sankarshana, Pradyumna, Vasudeva and Anirudha. He is free from all defects. He has a divine body and is full of love, beauty, charm and sweetness.

In Navadwipa Dhama Mahatyam, Shrila Bhaktivinoda Thakura says that Nimbarka had previously worshiped Lord Shiva in Bilva Paksha, Rudradwipa (Navadwipa). Lord Shiva appeared before Nimbarka instructing him to take initiation from the four Kumaras, who were meditating nearby.

Nimbarka received Radha-Krishna mantra and continued living in Navadwipa. Following the teachings of the Sanat-Kumara Samhita, he worshiped Radha and Krishna with great love. Soon Radha and Krishna appeared before Nimbarka. Then the Divine Couple displayed Their unified form as Shri Gauranga Mahaprabhu. 

Lord Gauranga said, “Nimbarka, in the future when I begin My sankirtana movement I will personally preach the perfect transcendental philosophy of achintya-bheda-abheda-tattva. I will take the essence of the philosophies of Madhva, Ramanuja, Vishnuswami.

From you, Nimbarka, I will take two important principles: (1) The necessity of taking shelter of Shrimati Radharani. (2)The high esteem of the Vraja gopis love for Shri Krishna.”

Lord Gauranga disappeared after instructing Nimbarka. Shedding tears of ecstasy, Nimbarka left Navadwipa to begin his preaching mission. In Chaitanya lila, Nimbarka appeared as Keshava Kashmiri and received love of Godhead directly from Nimai Pandit.

• 

• 

2007 ISKCON Child Protection Office Clarification of Status for Dhanurdhara Swami

Originally posted by Tamohara Das on Dandavats, April 25th, 2007.

“Dear Devotees,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

As the Director of the ISKCON Central Office of Child Protection, I would like to respond to the concerns about the status of Dhanurdhara Swami raised by the “Expert Gurukula Proofreaders.” I was also a member of the GBC committee that drafted the resolution that was passed in Mayapur, so I can speak to the intent of both the CPO decision and GBC resolution.

The issue centers on the wording of the GBC resolution that states that whenever a CPO ruling restricts that devotee from positions of leadership, that will automatically include the position of initiating guru. The concern is that the CPO Official Decision on the case of Dhanurdhara Swami restricted him from positions of “management,” rather than “leadership.”

In my position as CPO Director, I can officially state that the CPO Decision did indeed intend that Dhanurdhara Maharaja be restricted from the types of leadership positions indicated in the GBC resolution. Further, the intent of the GBC resolution was clear, that Dhanurdhara Swami, and any others in his situation, should not act as initiating spiritual masters within ISKCON. There was no intent for ambiguity or loopholes.

While the concepts of “leadership” and “management” are somewhat different in other contexts, in this specific instance, they are used synonymously. So that there is no misunderstanding, we can categorically state that Dhanurdhara Maharaja, and any others with similar CPO decisions, may not act as initiating spiritual masters in ISKCON.

Your servant,
Tamohara das
Director, ISKCON Central Office of Child Protection“

According to Vrinda-kunda Baba, Srimati Vrindadevi appeared on the full-moon night at the end of Kartik, or Damodara.

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According to Vrinda-kunda Baba, Srimati Vrindadevi appeared on the full-moon night at the end of Kartik, or Damodara.

Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura, in Sri Vrndadevi-astaka (6-8), glorifies her:

rasabhilaso vasatis ca vrnda-
vane tvad-isanghri-saroja-seva
labhya ca pumsam krpaya tavaiva
vrnde namas te caranaravindam

“By your mercy, people attain residence in Vrindavan, the desire to serve your masters’ lotus feet, and the desire to assist in the rasa dance. O Vrinda, I bow to your lotus feet.

tvam kirtyase satvata-tantra-vidbhir
lilabhidhana kila krsna-saktih
tavaiva murtis tulasi nr-loke
vrnde namas te caranaravindam

“They who are learned in the Satvata-tantra glorify you. You are Krishna’s pastime-potency. The tulasi plant is your form in the world of men. O Vrinda, I bow to you lotus feet.

bhaktya vihina aparadha-laksaih
ksiptas ca kamadi-taranga-madhye
kpamayi tvam saranam prapanna
vrnde namas te caranaravindam

“O merciful one, I am devoid of devotion, and millions of offenses have thrown me into the turbulent waves of lust, anger, greed, and other faults. O Vrinda, I take shelter of your lotus feet.”

May Srimati Vrindadevi—and Sri Sri Radha-Damodara—bestow their mercy upon us all.

Hare Krishna.

Yours in service,
Giriraj Swami